Molly Stark State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Molly Stark State Park is a beautiful, preserved area that covers 148 acres in southern Vermont. It is named after the wife of General John Stark, who gained fame in the American Revolutionary War and the French and Indian War. Molly Stark was instrumental in war efforts as well, recruiting men to fight and converting her barn into a hospital. The park is located along the Molly Stark Trail Scenic Byway, which is the route that General Stark took with his militia during the Revolutionary War. Before becoming a state park in 1932, the land was originally used by settlers for sheep farming and agriculture. A portion of the park was also used by the Hogback Ski Area.
Spring 26-66 F
Summer 52-87 F
Fall 26-74 F
Winter 17-39 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Molly Stark State Park
The campground at Molly Stark State Park has 23 camping spots that accommodate tents and RVs. The maximum RV length is 34 feet. None of the campsites have hookups. Campers have access to fire pits, picnic tables, ice, showers and restrooms with flush toilets. The campground also has a volleyball court, a horseshoe pit, a recycling bin and a dump station. Mt. Olga Trail wraps around the southern perimeter of the campground and loops around to the west side of the campground.
What to Do at
Molly Stark State Park
Molly Stark State Park is a small, quiet park that features secluded campsites and plenty of amenities and activities for visitors to enjoy. Close to the campsites, a horseshoe pit and a volleyball court are available for fun times with family and friends. The park's trail and camping spots are ideal areas for viewing wildlife. Mt. Olga Trail links to a larger trail system that extends for many miles around mountains and through forests.
Geocaching
Geocaching at Molly Stark State Park is referred to as "letterboxing." Similar to geocaching, you rely on your navigational skills to find the cache with the added challenge of being artistic with a rubber stamp.
Nature Watching
Wildlife is abundant in the state park, and additional viewing opportunities are available along connecting trails. Some animals that you could spot are cottontail rabbits, wild turkeys, foxes, raccoons, porcupines, weasels, hares, skunks, opossums, and woodchucks. A few larger mammals inhabit the park as well, including moose, bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer, and coyotes. Bird species found in the park include goldfinches, owls, bluebirds, crows, robins, thrushes, ospreys, falcons, hawks, eagles, grouses, woodcocks, northern goshawk, broad-winged hawks, ruffed grouse, hermit thrushes, brown creepers, veeries, black-throated warblers and scarlet tanagers.
Hiking
The main hiking trail in Molly Stark State Park is Mt. Olga Trail. It connects to trails outside of the park, including Tower Trail, Bishop Trail, White's Loop, Douglas Trail and others. Because of these connections, Molly Stark State Park is a popular starting point for exploring the Hogback Mountain Conservation Area and Hamilton Hill.
Biking
Mountain biking is permitted along the 1.7-mile Mt. Olga Trail. This trail takes you to Mt. Olga Tower, where there are excellent views of the Green Mountains in all directions.
How to Get to
Molly Stark State Park
Molly Stark State Park is located west of Brattleboro. From Brattleboro, take Highway 9 West. After passing through Marlboro and before reaching Wilmington, the park's entrance is on the right. You can also easily reach Molly Stark State Park from Albany. In Albany, travel east along Highway 7. This highway turns into Highway 9 after the New York-Vermont border. Continue along Highway 9 through Wilmington, and you will see the park's entrance on the right.
Entering Molly Stark State Park
Molly Stark State Park is open from Memorial Day weekend until mid-October. The park office is open seasonally between 10 a.m. and sunset. Parking is available near the park office and at individual campsites. As of December 2023, Mt. Olga Tower is temporarily closed for repairs.
Molly Stark State Park Entry Fee (visitors 14 years old and older) : $5.0
Molly Stark State Park Entry Fee (children 4-13) : $2.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Molly Stark State Park
Molly Stark State Park is open seasonally from Memorial Day weekend until the second Monday in October.
Molly Stark State Park is an ideal location for observing some of the region's native animal species, such as woodchucks, white-tailed deer, opossums, skunks, hares, weasels, porcupines, raccoons, moose, squirrels, foxes, fishers, coyotes, cottontail rabbits, chipmunks, bobcats and bears. You could also see birds like woodcocks, grouses, eagles, hawks, falcons, ospreys, thrushes, robins, crows, bluebirds, owls and goldfinches.
The 23 campsites at Molly Stark State Park are used for both tent and RV camping.
While reservations are not required to camp at Molly Stark State Park, they are recommended due to the limited number of sites available. A nonrefundable reservation of $8 applies. The nightly fee is $20 for state residents and $28 for out-of-state visitors.
Pets are welcome at Molly Stark State Park. Visitors must pick up after their pets and keep them leashed.